2015 Reading Stats

Number Of Books You Read: 101. But I think it’s actually more like 103 because Goodreads sometimes turns sulky when I try to add books to my Currently Reading shelf. which is why this year I must also keep a tangible list.

Number of Re-Reads: Five. But I know that’s inaccurate because, as I said, Goodreads likes to misbehave. Tsk. Tsk.

Genre You Read The Most From: Apparently Mystery wins out (with Fantasy as a close second). It would seem I read stacks and stacks of Agatha Christie over the summer and autumn. O.o Not to mention, I fell in love with Chesterton’s Father Brown. Also, I read my first Mrs. Meade and Anon, Sir, Anon.

Best In Books

Best Book You Read In 2015?

This question should be outlawed. I refuse to answer with a single book. Therefore, I shall answer with six.

Pendragon’s Heir was rich, rich, rich and I think I wouldn’t mind being best friends with Blanche and Perceval. Plus, KING ARTHUR LEGENDS YUSSSS. The Phantom of the Opera broke my heart in the best way possible. Monster made the deep-thinking, philosophical side of me happy. And I cried quarts and am probably far more attached to Mir than is strictly healthy. Love books like that.

Peter Pan was utterly magical and whimsical and strangely soul-achy. Shadow Hand only strengthened my love for Stengl’s writing and fantastic charries and story-lines and worldbuilding — I am consistently in awe. Also pain because feels. The ending was so beautiful it gave me a brief flash of Sehnsucht. Anon, Sir, Anon satisfied the Annie who-adores-mysteries-and-is-perpetually-curious, and it had all of Heffington’s signature charm and vividry.

Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

This was a deliciously gripping mystery/police/plotsy thriller thing… and then halfway through it turned into something so deep and theological and quirky all I could do was squint at the pages and wish I was more clever so I could understand WHAT IN CREATION CHESTERTON WAS TRYING TO SAY. I may still be slightly bitter over this.

Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

I didn’t really know anything about this brilliant scientist when I started the book. I emerged full of story ideas, fascinated with Tesla and indignant with Edison and even more in love with science-y stuffage than I was before. (although, Author Chap, quit bashing conspiracy theorists already.)

Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

Because everybody needs a generous dose of hilarity from the master of British comedy. You’re welcome, humans.

Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

Best series I started: I enjoy the superhero genre. I enjoy parodies. I enjoy stories with snap and fun and plenty of humor and unexpected angst. Cue Supervillain of the Day.

Best sequel: I still haven’t recovered from this book. Can I sneak into the future and steal Book Three, please?

Best series ender: Need I say more? *gazes dreamily into the distance and murmurs “across the pale parabola of joy”*

Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

Apparently The Phantom of the Opera is classified as horror. Okay then. o.O

Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

Steelheart. Woah. Talk about action! Dragonwitch had twists and turns and ACK. The Secret Adversary was impossible to put down. The Phantom of the Opera? NO WORDS TO EXPRESS ALL THE FEELS AND THRILL.

Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

I don’t think I’ll ever not want to re-read The Tales of Goldstone Wood. The sheer amount of richness and beauty and emotional depth in these books…. my preciousssss.

Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?

I could gloat over this beauty all day long.

Most memorable character of 2015?

I encountered many memorable charries in my reading last year, but the first people that spring to mind is the little crew from Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures. From Flora who is the cutest cynical, comic-book reading, squirrel-rescuing human ever to William Spiver with his “blindness” and love of Big Words, and Tootie who is one of my favorite adults in a children’s book. Not to mention, Ulysses himself — a squirrel who can fly and has an optimist spirit and a penchant for writing poetry. They are the most lovable cast of characters and I wish I could hug them all and share chocolate chips with them.

Most beautifully written book read in 2015?

All. The. Pretty.

Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?

I’m still trying to gather my thoughts on Go Set A Watchman. The moral dilemmas of genetic manipulation and enhancement in For Darkness Shows the Stars were fascinating. The King’s Scrolls challenged me on how strong I would be if I had to withstand incredible temptation and pain for the sake of what I believe, and A Wish Made of Glass helped heal a part of me I didn’t even realize was still hurting.

Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read?

Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?

Book That Shocked You The Most?

I will never recover from that moment between Eanrin and You Know Who. Talk about unexpected and wonderful and heart-breaking. O.O The plot twist at the end of The Unmapped Sea is not okay. The fact that Penelope is missing from the book cover is ALSO NOT OKAY. And grown-up Scout is shocking and I feel her, but still, GIRL.

OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

Eanrin and Starflower (Tales of Goldstone Wood). Mir and Eva (Monster). Blanche and Perceval (Pendragon’s Heir). Kyrin and Jace (Ilyon Chronicles). I like to adopt ALLL the ships.

Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

The friendship between Jack, a normal little boy, and Beth, a wind-up little girl, is sweet and touching (Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times). The love-hate relationship between Floyd and Adams in Supervillain of the Day is my favorite. Flora and William Spiver are the cutest. *hugs the babies* Marcus and Esca (The Eagle of the Ninth) remind me in a way of Frodo and Samwise. But more historical and with less ring-of-power-trauma.

Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously?

This requires no explanation. *hugs book*

Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

That would be this wonderful, quirky, magical read which I am ever so grateful I was told I absolutely must pick up. Looking at you, Amanda. *hugs*

Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?

One word: EANRIN. *fangirling so hard*

Best 2015 debut you read?

Read it, cyberspacelings. READ THE BOOK IF YOU WISH TO LIVE. Ahem. Because you want to? I will bribe you with chocolate chips.

Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

The world-building is, hands down, one of my favorite parts of Tales of Goldstone Wood. It’s amazing. Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times has some of the best steampunk worldbuilding I’ve encountered yet. Perfection, kind of.

Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Basically anything ever by P.G. Wodehouse.

Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

SO MANY. Sooooo many. I cry easily in books it would seem. *shoves box of kleenex under the sofa*

The Man Who Knew Too Much.

It Took A War.

Dragonwitch.

Shadow Hand.

Johnny Tremain.

The Two Towers.

Firmament: Machiavellian.

To Kill A Mockingbird.

Peter Pan.

The Bird in the Tree.

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures.

A Wish Made of Glass.

Monster.

A Tale of Two Cities.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

The Phantom of the Opera.

Pendragon’s Heir.

The King’s Scrolls.

Hidden Gem Of The Year?

All of these captivating, excellent beauties.

Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Let’s just say that this ends in such a unexpected manner that you wander about trying to collect your thoughts and wondering, “What do I do now?”

I cried. Goodness, that was a painful and beautiful ending. I’ll probably never recover.

Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

Oh, help, I don’t even know. Maybe Flora and Ulysses? After all, it’s not every day you read about a squirrel that gets vacuumed up and comes out able to fly and fond of writing poetry.

Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

I did dislike this actually. I rather wanted to drop it off a cliff. Flat characters and pages full of cliches do that to me. *deep breath*

MY BLOGGING/BOOKISH LIFE

(I know this is long. Bear with me, lovelies! Chocolate chips at the end, okay?)

New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?

I didn’t discover many new book blogs this year, but Cait is so lovable and fun, and her blog is an absolute favorite of mine. Plus, she has mad photography skills. And she’s just plain nice.

Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2015?

That would be all of you, actually. Since starting this blog I’ve been overwhelmed by all the love and support from each and everyone of you, my dear friends. I couldn’t be more thankful for it. I really don’t know how to express how glad I am to know you all, and as for my Shadow Readers (as I like to call you) I’m so happy you take the time to visit the Curious Wren house, even if I don’t know who you are.

You are all special to me.

Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

“Time is not the boss of me.” *painful laughter*

Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Honestly, I’ve had some serious amounts of love on all my blog posts so I don’t think I could wish for more. ❤

Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

My Dad found a tiny book shoppe near us that sells used books and let’s just say that the proprietors know us by name and every time I come in, the lady lets me know at once if they’ve picked up any Wodehouse recently. It’s the best.

Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I passed my challenge of 100 books. GO ME. And I ventured out of my comfort zone by reading more books published in recent years so that was fun.

This year I shall be unstoppable! Ahem. Anyway.

LOOKING AHEAD

(In which we dramatically look off into the middle distance)

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

Lots and lots and lots.

(with the exception of The Wind and the Willows these would all be first reads.)

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Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?

I’m curious about Heartless mainly because Marissa Meyer wrote it — plus it’s Alice in Wonderland so there’s that. I can not wait until Resistcomes out. Five Magic Spindles has the prettiest cover of ever and it’s fairytale re-tellings so yay!

Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?

I am dying to know how The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place ends.

One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?

Reading: I want to dig into more of the older classics like The Illiad and Shakespeare’s plays. Vice versus I am hoping to venture into the cleaner YA books.

Blogging: Be much more consistent with commenting. Both on my own blog and on others. And I really want to do more posts specifically about writing and the process of spinning Story. Also put up more book/film reviews.

Look, we reached the end. EVERYBODY CHEER.

*gives out handfuls of chocolate chips and chocolate chip cookies*

What do you think of my 2015 reads? What are a few books you hope to crack open this year? Let us chat!

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9 thoughts on “//bookish survey of 2015”

I love the Man Who Was Thursday, but I totally get what you said about it. It’s deep and has so many hidden meanings and levels to it that it can be just plain confusing. I read it for my junior year literature class and was really lucky to have a teacher who could explain it just right. Without him it definitely wouldn’t be one of my favourite classics ever. Also Monster and Eagle of the Ninth were two of my favourite books growing up…seeing you talk about them makes me want to go reread them. 🙂

Ah, but THE MAN WHO WAS THURSDAY makes perfect sense in the end! No, really! It seems really obvious to me now, but I do vaguely remember the days before I read that Sonia West article that explained it all. It’s well worth reading. Here: http://www.discovery.org/a/1145

😀 I’m continually thrilled when I remember how much people are loving my book.